Savon Goodman continues to play coy about his decision for 2012. He hasn’t ruled out prep school. He hasn’t ruled out playing this year, with his family stating that he is eligible.

He was in Pittsburgh this past weekend for the Under Armour Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest. But…

This wasn’t the best weekend for Savon Goodman, who struggled offensively in a half-court setting

That was echoed in other reviews of performances.

The 6’6” forward mainly floated around the perimeter and when he did take the ball to the hoop, had trouble finishing — a rarity for him. On the recruiting front, Goodman said he has no particular list at the moment but claimed offers from Pittsburgh and Temple as well as interest from UCLA and St. John’s, adding that Villanova is out of the picture.

The possibility remains that Goodman will take a prep year and join the 2013 class but he is still unsure of when that decision will come.

“I don’t have much control over that right now,” Goodman said, “my family is handling all of that.”

I’ve been feeling a bit pessimistic about the chances of landing Goodman, the longer he has delayed his decision. It just seems that he is waiting for something else. Something he believes will be a better offer.

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Never too early to start planning ahead. Especially when it comes to the delicate issue of balancing your team with your family.

Thanksgiving this year is Thursday November 22.

Pitt has its final home football game on Saturday, November 24 against Rutgers.

Bookending Thanksgiving, Pitt basketball has the Preseason NIT at MSG (21st and 23d). The slate of other teams participating include Michigan (likely preseason top-10), Virginia, K-State and Fordham.

In a four-day stretch: 2 basketball games, 1 football game and traditional family dysfunction on display.

All things considered, I’m rather pleased with this set-up. No overlapping games.

Good planning suggests stocking up on your alcoholic beverage of choice for that stretch early.

Had to take the weekend away from the computer. Saturday was my son’s 5th birthday. A house with a dozen or so kids his age running about for the afternoon led to a night of necessary drinking and silence. Sunday was more family time. So glad the kids are in school today.

While of the grid, Pitt got another commitment. Another relatively unknown, unheralded and unranked commit (mostly, 24/7 has 3-stars for him), but a verbal nonetheless. Future Pitt DE Shakir Soto from GAR (not to be confused with GWAR) Memorial High, verballed over the weekend.

“It was his third time he’d been out there,” GAR coach Paul Wiedlich Jr. said. “He was pretty fired up about them. He kind of knew he was going to commit to them. He just wanted to do it in person because they’ve treated him so well.

“Now he can focus on playing football and enjoying the rest of his junior year.”

Soto was named to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 2A all-state team, Wyoming Valley Conference Coaches Association Small School all-star team and The Times Leader All-WVC team. He made a team-high 114 tackles and nine sacks. He also returned an interception for a touchdown and blocked a punt.

Soto also started on the offensive line for the Grenadiers, but has been recruited as a defensive end.

“First of all, they are getting a great student,” Wiedlich Jr. said. “He’s in the top 20 of his class. As far as a person, the kid has a tremendous work ethic that just transfers to the field.”

Because Soto plays at a relatively small school, it factored into not being noticed until recently.

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